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► VPW Ed Bending

My name is Ed Bending and I am a third year geography student within the school of environment and technology. Since starting here in 2007 I have thrown myself into University life, being an active member of the men’s hockey squad, of which I am now the second team captain. I have also been an influential member of the RAG committee.

I have been involved with the Students Union since my second year, where I was the Ethical and Environmental Officer. I then followed this by a second term as the Community Action Officer. During my time with the Union I have been successful in many of the projects I have attempted, including being an influential part of rewriting the new constitution, writing the current Ethical and Environmental policy, gaining a bronze in the sound impact awards and helping with the new community rep scheme.

In my time away from Uni I am also a part time youth worker, which is where my passion for wellbeing has derived. During this role I have had a lot of training in order to help others deal with a variety of different issues that affect many people in different ways. This has also allowed me to see how affective, specialised wellbeing campaigns can be in helping people. I feel this great experience distinguishes me as someone who is ready to lead from day one and has set me up in a great position ready to best serve you, the students in the new position of Vice President Wellbeing.

Looking to the future I feel that as the wellbeing zone is a new development for the Union, a new perspective is required in order to make the best service possible. I see the main focus of this job as holding Student Services to account, to make sure that the University is creating the best learning and living environment for all students. This will mean ensuring that services such as the careers centres, disability and dyslexia and the student advice centre are running affectively and offering the support everyone deserves.

I also believe that the key to success for this new Wellbeing Zone is to involve some of the Unions best assets, you the students. This will mean open sessions where anyone with a wellbeing issue can come forward and make sure something is being done about it. The societies will play an influential role within this scheme, so as to ensure that not only the Vice President is fighting for wellbeing but members from all communities within the University.

Another aspect I see as keen to the role is that of sexual awareness within the student body. This has always been seen as very important by Brighton SU, which has supported the Unisex project for many years. However after 19 years the funding for this scheme has removed by Sussex University, meaning that the scheme in its current form is no longer viable. This is being seen as an opportunity to redevelop sexual awareness for the whole of the Brighton student body including Eastbourne and Hastings, who currently are excluded by Unisex’s services. I have already been involved in many meetings and discussions about how this new service will be implemented and will be a key part of what I wish to bring to the Student Union if elected.

With my background coming from environmental issues, this is another key issue which I feel the Union should be making a priority. In order to do this I believe that working on our performance in the Sound Impact Awards will highlight many areas in which improvements can be made. I believe that many initiatives, such as small scale vegetable growing areas on campus and bicycle workshops to promote this sustainable form of transport, offer a chance to improve both the environmental performance of the Union and enhance the student experience.

I also believe that inter faith is another key issue that needs to be addressed by the new wellbeing zone. I believe that a strong dialogue between the different faith groups is essential to the continuing growth and wellbeing of the student community. As we saw in the AGM that I deputy chaired with the Vice President of the NUS earlier this year, there are clearly issues to be resolved and listening to be done by your Union. This is why if elected your VP Wellbeing I will create the first ever Brighton SU interfaith forum where leaders of the different faith communities can come together to begin this dialogue. It will be like Copenhagen except we’ll get something done!

In addition to this it is important to make sure that we celebrate the diverse and inclusive nature of our Union community. In order to do this I believe we need to ensure that important events for different members of the community are celebrated rather than being ignored. For example black history month was a complete failure this year and was quickly highlighted by students that this was a large issue. Which is why if I get elected before I take up office in the summer, I will hold meetings with the leaders of the different communities in order to ensure events are in place ready for the new academic year.

Part of the role of VP Wellbeing as I see it is that all Brighton University students feel safe and secure during their time at university. I know this is a question the LGBT community has raised this year and discussions have taken place over an LGBT safe space. I believe this is an important issue that needs to be addressed within the new wellbeing zone, and I feel that this is a very accomplishable goal in the near future.

I would like to ask you to Vote ED BENDING #1 for VP WELLBEING in order to ensure that as the Union moves into the wellbeing zone, we can all see a new direction and not the same old issues.